A historic hotel can do more than give you somewhere to sleep. It can shape the entire trip: breakfast in a former estate, an afternoon among low-slung bungalows, or dinner in a room whose history reaches back to Hollywood’s desert years.
These six properties offer different versions of that experience. Five are in Palm Springs; La Quinta Resort is farther east in La Quinta. Choose by location and the kind of stay you want, then let the history add another layer.
Historic Hotels at a Glance
- Locations: Five hotels in Palm Springs; La Quinta Resort in La Quinta.
- Choose by itinerary: Compare your daily destinations before booking.
- Reservations: Use the official hotel links in each section for current rooms and booking terms.
Ingleside Estate: Gardens and a Classic Night Out
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Ingleside began as a private estate in 1922. Its own history traces the property through Ruth Hardy’s invitation-only hospitality and Mel Haber’s later stewardship, including the arrival of Melvyn’s. Today, the combination of Spanish Revival architecture and an established restaurant makes it a compelling choice for travelers who want hotel history woven into the evening.
Put Ingleside on your list if a small estate setting appeals more than a large resort campus. A dinner reservation at Melvyn’s and an overnight booking are separate decisions; confirm both if they are central to your plans.
Casa Cody: Cottages and Creative History
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Casa Cody’s story centers on Harriet Cody and the artists who visited the property. The hotel associates its past with figures including Charlie Chaplin, Lawrence Tibbett, and Anaïs Nin. Its collection of buildings offers a different architectural experience from a uniform hotel block.
This is one to consider when you want downtown access alongside the feeling of staying in a residential garden setting. Look closely at the accommodation categories: the name of a cottage, its layout, and its outdoor space can matter more than a generic room upgrade.
Colony Palms: From Colonial House to Boutique Hotel
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Colony Palms opened in 1936 as Colonial House and later became Howard Manor before taking its current identity. That sequence is part of the appeal. Its history spans early desert tourism, Hollywood society, and contemporary boutique-hotel design.
Choose Colony Palms if you want a historic setting with a strong present-day design identity. Compare a room, suite, and bungalow on their actual layouts rather than assuming every option delivers the same degree of privacy.
The Willows: An Estate at the Mountain Edge
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The Willows grew from two Mediterranean-style homes completed in 1925. Its official history describes a later restoration that brought the buildings together as a hotel. The location at the foot of the mountains gives it a distinct sense of place within Palm Springs.
Its small scale is central to the decision. Travelers seeking an estate atmosphere should examine individual bedroom descriptions and the current booking terms. The official website now directs reservations through Soho House’s bedroom platform.
L’Horizon: Midcentury Bungalows and Architecture
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William F. Cody designed L’Horizon in 1952. Its bungalow arrangement makes it the clearest midcentury choice in this collection: the architecture is part of the lodging experience itself.
L’Horizon is on East Palm Canyon Drive in south Palm Springs. Plan transportation if most of your meals and activities are downtown. Also distinguish the historic L’Horizon accommodations from the separately presented Hermann Bungalows when comparing rooms.
La Quinta Resort: Historic Casitas on a Resort Scale
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La Quinta Resort began in 1926 with 20 guest casitas, according to its historical timeline. It later grew into a much larger resort. Its Hollywood associations and Spanish Colonial Revival character belong to a different part of the valley from the Palm Springs hotels above.
Choose it when the resort is a major part of the vacation, or when your plans center on La Quinta and nearby east-valley destinations. Room location within the grounds deserves attention, especially if you want easy access to particular amenities.
How to Choose a Historic Hotel
Start with your itinerary. A Palm Springs base works differently from a La Quinta base, even when both appear in a search for “Palm Springs hotels.” Map your most important destinations before comparing room rates.
Next, decide what “historic” means to you. Ingleside and The Willows emphasize estate origins; Casa Cody offers a collection of buildings; Colony Palms carries several hotel identities; L’Horizon brings midcentury design; La Quinta pairs early casitas with a broader resort experience.
Finally, read current room descriptions, access policies, and the total booking price. Historic architecture can mean varied layouts, so ask specific questions about stairs, bathrooms, and routes through the property. The most satisfying choice is the one whose history and everyday practicalities both fit your trip.